A RECENT surprise move notwithstanding, San Miguel Beer maintains it is not looking too far ahead in its remaining PBA Governors' Cup outings.
"Step by step," was how coach Jorge Gallent described his Beermen's mindset for their last four elimination round games that start with the one against Phoenix Super LPG Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Currently with a 4-2 record in Group B, SMB aims to stretch its winning streak to three and enhance its chances of gaining inclusion among the top four teams advancing to the quarterfinals stage.
More wins in their remaining matches against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, Rain or Shine next Thursday and Blackwater on Sept. 21 and the Beermen's passage would be ensured.
Gallent stressed that his team must focus on the immediate task at hand despite being ranged against a squad that has yet to win after six games and is teetering close to elimination.
"First of all, we have to think of Phoenix," reiterated Gallent. "They have nothing to lose and so we have to come out, again, full of energy and not think of their record. It might hurt us."
How new import Sheldon Mac performs against Phoenix counterpart Brandone Francis should be an interesting sidelight since the former, a natural shooting guard, was tapped in lieu of Jordan Adams who mostly play as a big.
Gallent has previously explained the decision to take in Mac, who debuted with 16 points on a 5-of-10 field shooting, was mostly in anticipation of SMB having to play TNT's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ginebra's Justin Brownlee, both 2s, down the road.
Marcio Lassiter should also grab at least an equal amount of the spotlight since the 37-year-old sniper needs just eight more triples to pass Jimmy Alapag's all-time mark of 1,250 made 3s.
Lassiter made four treys and had a total 17 points in a 119-114 revenge win over NLEX just last Wednesday, helping SMB follow up its 113-112 squeaker over Rain or Shine.
In all, however, Gallent maintained it is on making stops which his players must put extra effort on.
"Because our role is, we let our defense trigger our offense," explained Gallent. "If we play bad defense then our offense will suffer."(NC)
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